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    Amazon Customer 01-19-13
    Amazon Customer 01-19-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    4
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    36
    5
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
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    Story
    "A "Don't Miss""
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    Nesbo is one of my favorites and The Bat does a lot to fill in Harry Hole's backstory. The performance is beyond excellent; every voice is appropriate to the character and distinctive. If you've missed this opening volume of the series, go get it, and if you're new to Nesbo, it's the place to start.


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Harry Hole


    Have you listened to any of Sean Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    No , but I want to


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    no, it was too complex. I needed a break.


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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Petra Clanahan-Oldfield Christchurch, New Zealand 01-16-13
    Petra Clanahan-Oldfield Christchurch, New Zealand 01-16-13 Member Since 2010
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    17
    3
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Unfortunately the Narrator cannot save this...."

    There has been such hype about Jo Nesbo that I thought I would give this a go... Sean Barrett did a good job with narration and trying to give depth to the characters but i found them superficial, weak and thoroughly frustrating. I persevered hoping that it would get better but when the predictable ending came I was relieved.
    Not sure if it was the author - or if it was the character that bothered me - but I did not enjoy this at all..

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Nield fitzroy north, Australia 01-14-13
    Nield fitzroy north, Australia 01-14-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    33
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    REVIEWS
    5
    4
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    0
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    "Fabulous story"

    Loved the book, the whole idea of a Norwegian discovering Indigenous Australian culture was really interesting. The thriller/mystery was compelling and the flawed hero was really compelling. The narration was a little annoying at times, although always clear.... Terrific book.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    L. O. Pardue Atlanta, GA United States 01-13-13
    L. O. Pardue Atlanta, GA United States 01-13-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1484
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    143
    137
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    140
    9
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Harry Hole's Beginning"

    I have always wondered why American publishing provided several translated books of Jo Nesbo's great Harry Hole series, but didn't offer the first book, "The Bat". Finally, it has appeared and I couldn't listen to it soon enough. In this audiobook, Harry is in Australia investigating the murder of a young Norwegian woman, Inger Holter. The new Australian characters are unique and at times, very funny.

    Regarding Harry's back-story, it was very emotional and heart-breaking. It answered so many questions I had about why Harry acts the way he does in the books that follow. I believe by beginning with this story, you can see how Nesbo continues to have Harry grow -- even if it is two steps forward and one step back most of the time. Harry's new Australian relationship, and its outcome will leave you very moved.

    The mystery was very clever and moved forward at a very fast pace. Nesbo's ability to provide the most unique murder settings start with this first book. I think Nesbo's writing is brilliant. I hope he has a very long career writing about Harry Hole's investigations.

    I enjoyed Sean Barrett's narration very much, but I still love Robin Sachs. I will not be disappointed with either of these narrators going forward.

    Thanks, Audible, for finally offering the first book of this series. I loved it!

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Simin Fuglafjordur, Faroe Islands 01-07-13
    Simin Fuglafjordur, Faroe Islands 01-07-13 Member Since 2017
    HELPFUL VOTES
    0
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    73
    1
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Well worth it"
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    I would recommend others this book. Really well read and I really liked the aboriginals stories.


    Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

    I would say yes. Still there were moments I thought it went a bit to slow


    Have you listened to any of Sean Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    Never listened to him before. Thought he did well.


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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Margaret 01-07-13
    Margaret 01-07-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    131
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    169
    54
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    FOLLOWING
    5
    0
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    "Great book and stellar narration!"
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    I'm a huge Nesbo fan and was thrilled when his first book, The Bat, became available at Audible. It is a great read and introduces Nesbo's character, detective Harry Hole. Having read all of Nesbo's other books featuring Harry, The Bat really helped give me some background and helped me understand him more. Loved every minute!


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Definitely Harry. He is a complicated man and brilliant detective.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    Too many to choose.


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

    Harry goes down under in this thrill ride of an adventure.


    Any additional comments?

    Great narration.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Janelle moree, Australia 12-29-12
    Janelle moree, Australia 12-29-12 Member Since 2014
    HELPFUL VOTES
    30
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    39
    30
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    2
    3
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    Story
    "Good Yarn but ..............."

    Some very odd Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories. Read "Goanna " for "Iguana" , there are no natural sources of rubber in Australia and crows are not native birds. So treat the Dreamtime stories as a bit lost in translation .

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Linda 12-23-12
    Linda 12-23-12 Member Since 2016
    HELPFUL VOTES
    26
    ratings
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    276
    67
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    3
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    "Great Narrator, okay story"

    I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I was very impressed by the narration. Very impressed indeed. The story itself was good but not as meaty as I would have liked. I liked the characters but wasn't invested in them. I was looking for something along the lines of Stieg Larsson or Jussi Adler-Olsen so my expectations were rather high.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    PAR-TEE 12-20-12
    PAR-TEE 12-20-12 Member Since 2017
    HELPFUL VOTES
    103
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    104
    101
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    10
    7
    Overall
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    Story
    "Not my cup of tea...."
    What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

    The story was too slow moving. Characters were boring. I gave up after 31/2 hours of the doldrums... Much longer if you count the rewinds...


    Has The Bat turned you off from other books in this genre?

    Yes


    Would you be willing to try another one of Sean Barrett’s performances?

    No he was to slow and monotone for me. he and the story kept putting me to sleep. i had to rewind constantly.


    What character would you cut from The Bat?

    Harry....


    Any additional comments?

    Very disappointed, I wanted so to like the series...

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    Charlie Tabatznik 12-17-12
    Charlie Tabatznik 12-17-12
    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    840
    6
    FOLLOWERS
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    0
    2
    Overall
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    Story
    "tedious"
    Any additional comments?

    Plot tedious -- local lore inserted to justify location - not up to par for the author.

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    0 of 0 people found this review helpful